The Hot Blast Process

We're working on a full feature about The Hot Blast Process. In the meantime, here's what we know: Patented in 1828 by Glasgow Gas Works manager James Beaumont Neilson, the Hot Blast Process preheated the air entering a blast furnace using its own waste gases — cutting iron-smelting fuel use by 30–50%, raising furnace temperatures and powering the railways, shipbuilding and heavy engineering of the Industrial Revolution. It was developed in 1828 by James Beaumont Neilson.